The CAF investigation into Orlando Pirates’ protest against DR Congo’s
Saint Eloi Lupopo has escalated dramatically, with new evidence suggesting
potential document tampering that could see the Congolese club face severe
sanctions, including disqualification.
The dispute originated after Lupopo eliminated Pirates in a CAF Champions
League preliminary round tie, winning on penalties after both teams secured
3-0 home victories. Pirates lodged a formal protest over player eligibility,
which has now evolved into a far more serious probe.
According to sources close to the investigation, the case has widened to
focus on the authenticity of key documents for Lupopo players, with striker
Henoc Molia at the centre of the new allegations.
Passport Inconsistencies and a Mysterious Omission
The core issue under examination is not Molia’s dual nationality, but the
consistency of his personal details across official documents. Investigators
are comparing the information—such as date of birth, name spelling, and
identification numbers—in his passport against what was registered in CAF’s
Competition Management System (CMS). Any discrepancy could be treated as
document tampering.
A source revealed that these concerns may explain why Molia, who was named
in the DR Congo squad for the recent CHAN tournament, did not actually play.
While Lupopo attributed his absence to an injury, insiders suggest
“administrative ineligibility linked to the passport issue” may have been
the true reason. The player signed for Lupopo shortly after being dropped
from the national team.
A Second Player and a Critical Timeline
The protest has also gained traction regarding a second player, Ramos
Kashala. Evidence suggests Kashala was still officially an AS Vita player as
late as October 7th, a full week after the CAF registration window closed on
September 30th. The transfer was reportedly stalled by an unpaid fee to his
former club, raising major questions about how Lupopo could have legally
registered him before the deadline.
This timeline is deemed “critical” by investigators. CAF’s CMS records all
registration data with precise timestamps, making it nearly impossible to
backdate or manipulate entries.
“He was not administratively eligible because of this passport trick. You
cannot bypass the CAF system anymore,” a source stated, suggesting Lupopo
may have either misunderstood the rules or deliberately attempted to
circumvent them.
Mounting Pressure and Potential Fallout
Lupopo has publicly stated they have received no official communication from
CAF and are continuing their preparations undisturbed. However, with the
investigation reaching its decisive phase, the club may soon be required to
defend itself before CAF’s disciplinary board.
If CAF rules in Pirates’ favour on any of these eligibility breaches, the
consequences for Lupopo could be severe, ranging from heavy fines to being
expelled from the Champions League group stages. The ruling will also send a
strong message about the enforcement of registration integrity across
African football.
Orlando Pirates were contacted for comment but had not responded by the time
of publication.
